Stop to Smell the Roses While In Pursuit of Happiness

Are you waiting for your situation to change so you can be happy? Many people are waiting for that illusive dream to manifest, the great idea to be implemented, the new house, car or some other tangible evidence that says they areHappy.

Stop to smell the roses while in pursuit of happiness!

Happiness is a state of mind based on how worthy you feel, how deserving you think you are of good things coming your way.

Your internal critic (the negative messages received and embedded in your subconscious) may attempt to sabotage your happiness quotient which will in turn affect your level of self-confidence and self-esteem.

Self-confidence is the realistic and positive expectations you have for yourself, your abilities and others. Self-confident people exude a sense of control in their lives.

Self-esteem is what you think of yourself. If you think you are insignificant, unworthy, devalued, that is the perception you will also present to the world. How you allow yourself to be treated and the way you show up to the world has the greatest impact on your self esteem. No one can make you a doormat unless you willingly lie down.

Your happiness depends on the expectations and mindset you have about how happy you are.

To quote the actress, Betty Davis – “You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation.”

Here are some tips to get your happy dance on…

Trust your feelings – Life is about trusting your feelings and taking chances, appreciating the memories and learning from the past. Take time to experience to the utmost the little things that bring you joy.

Be grateful – Gratitude is a powerful state of mind. It shifts your focus from lack to abundance and gives you a sense of contentment.

Lower your worry quotient – Worrying about things over which you have no control will overwhelm and deplete you. Concentrate on the things you have control over. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Be flexible – Things will not always go the way you want but if you are adaptable, you won’t raise your blood pressure by trying to have it your way. Allow for a change in plans.

Stop to smell the roses – In our hurry up, multitasking and over scheduled lives, we don’t stop long enough to relax, dream and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Don’t add more things into your day than you can reasonably handle. Take time for a leisurely walk, read an uplifting book or sit quietly listening to your favorite tunes.

Moment by moment, you can make a choice to be happy. More often than not, it’s the little things that annoy, frustrate and derail happiness. Expect happiness, embrace it and stop to smell the roses along the way.

Gladys Anderson - Life Coach, Therapist, Author

Certified Life Coach, Family therapist and Group Coaching Specialist, Gladys M. Anderson, helps nurses, teachers, social workers, therapists and other care-giving women to set limits so they have more time, more joy and more energy for self-care. To get tips, start living out loud with enthusiasm, energy, passion, and self-confidence now, get your FREE copy of Building Strong Boundaries to Create More Breathing Space in Your Hectic Life